HAJDUČKI HARAMBAŠA ANDRIJICA ŠIMIĆ PO ČIJIM JE VRLINAMA NAZVAN HNK HAJDUK

Andrijica Šimić (Alagovac 22 November 1833 – Runovići 5 February 1905) is the most famous hajduk harambaša. Turkish oppression and injustice drove him into the ranks of hajduks in the year 1859. He was a noble and pious hajduk for twelve years. He protected and helped the poor and women. At dawn on 14 January 1871, he was betrayed by Ante Garac, in whose house he slept that night. Seven Garac’s tied him up and handed him over to the authorities. In late July of the same year, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He served the sentence in the Koper prison until 16 December 1901 when he was released by royal decree. For days, many people were waiting for him at the Split waterfront. When he arrived in Split by steamer from Koper, he was greeted and hosted by many people everywhere. He did not take revenge on his traitors. Andrijica narrated his life as a hajduk, proving to be an excellent folk narrator. He died three days after his traitor Ante Garac. He rests in the cemetery in Runovići, and his curse came true. Andrijica Šimić’s legs are over Ante Garac’s head. Six years after the death of Andrijica Šimić, a Croatian football club (HNK) was founded, which was named Hajduk because of Šimić’s virtues.